Marshall predicts quick Cutler comeback

Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall and quarterback Jay Cutler stand beside one another on the sideline during a preseason game at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

It has been three days since the Chicago Bears announced the diagnosis of the injury Jay Cutler suffered Sunday. Cutler, it was revealed, has a torn muscle in his groin with a prognosis, officially revealed by coach Marc Trestman, that the quarterback will be out of action for at least four weeks.

“I’m going to tell you it’s a minimum of four weeks,” Trestman declared. “And from there it will be week to week.”

But already the acceleration of Cutler’s recovery timetable has begun. On Thursday, during an appearance on MSNBC, receiver Brandon Marshall said Cutler will need only half that much time to get back.

"I predict Jay Cutler will be back in two weeks," Marshall said during a visit on "Andrea Mitchell Reports" to promote his recent mental health advocacy efforts. "They say four to six (weeks), but we got the right people around Jay right now. So we'll get it done. Two weeks."

ESPN’s Ed Werder also said on “SportsCenter” on Thursday that Cutler told Trestman he’d be back in action in less than four weeks.

After the original timetable was announced Monday, Bears general manager Phil Emery said he was positive Cutler would return to the field at some point this season.

“I'm certain,” Emery said. “Unless there's a complication during his rehab, I would say with the injury that he has, I'm certain he'll be back at some point. Minimum of four weeks and from there it will be week-to-week.”

The Bears have an open date this week and will return to action Nov. 4 with a "Monday Night Football" game against the Packers at Lambeau Field. Josh McCown will be the starting quarterback for that game, and presumably for at least two games beyond that. But now the speculation on Cutler's recovery is certain to pick up steam.